AFRICAN ENTERTAINMENT

MUSICIAN

Meet Youssou N’Dour

Youssou n’Dour was born in Dakar in 1959 and began singing as a child performer at neighborhood gatherings in the tough Medina section of Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. He took formally to the stage at age 12 and by his mid-teens was singing regularly with the Star Band, the most successful group in Senegal at that time. In 1979, he formed his own ensemble, the Etoile de Dakar, which, by 1981, had evolved into The Super Etoile. The most famous band in Africa, The Super Etoile, guided by Youssou N’Dour has crafted and invented a thoroughly modern African pop style, one which has gone on to influence artists as diverse as Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon.

Vicker was born to a LiberianGhanaian mother and a Dutch father.His father died when he was six years old. He has often cited in interviews that he considers himself a global citizen as he was raised all over the world by his mother. Due to the early death of his father Vicker has stated that he is very close to his mother and considers her his hero. Vicker started out in the entertainment world in radio and as a television personality for Metropolitan Television (Metro TV). In 2003, Vicker appeared in the Ghanaian television series, Suncity, which depicted university life. He played the character of LeRoy King, Jr., a fine arts student born in the U.S. who arrives at Suncity to complete his education. The series ran for a total of 10 episodes. Soon, Vicker was cast in his first film Divine Love as a supporting character. This film coincidentally was also the debut roles for fellow actors Jackie Aygemang and Majid Michelwho were cast in the female and male lead respectively. The producer had insisted that Van be given a supporting role in Divine Love. That chance paid off, exposing Vicker to the movie industry. Even though Van’s role in Divine Love was in a supporting capacity, based on the strength of his performance, Van has been consistently cast in leading romantic roles thereafter. A role he has become well known for playing.